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Why Scott thinks Stringer trade could be a “win-win situation for Jake and Essendon”
SENZ • February 25th, 2025 1:06 pm
Essendon coach Brad Scott isn’t surprised by the reports of Jake Stringer enjoying a strong pre-season in his first few months at GWS.
The Dons traded the 30-year-old forward to the Giants for pick 53 as the 2024 trade period came to a close.
While Stringer enjoyed a strong season in 2024 where he kicked 42 goals, his seven years at Essendon were sometimes marred by questions over his fitness and off-field dedication.
Contrary to those stories that emerged during his time at Tullamarine, Stringer has reportedly shed some weight and is tearing up the track with GWS after joining his new club.
Scott, who has coached at the top level for 11 years, often sees players reach new levels of motivation once it becomes clear to them that their time in the AFL is finite and one of those triggers can be a change of scenery.
“It's not unusual (to see players improve at a new club),” Scott told SEN Whateley.
“I talk to our players often about how important it is to develop yourself off-field because there's a lot of your life to live post your football career and players nod their heads and say, ‘Yep, I know that's important’.
“But they never really believe you until the last six months of their career and then it becomes an emergency that they've got to develop themselves off the field.
“I think it's the same when a player moves clubs.
“It's real when you move, and it sparks a different level of motivation. That can be really frustrating because you wish you could produce that level of motivation all the time, but it's not unusual.”
While Essendon didn’t use the pick acquired in the trade at the draft, instead dealing it to Brisbane as part of a pick swap, Scott thinks that the transaction could end up being a win-win for both player and club going forward.
“Jake had some significant injuries and issues which through no fault of his own hampered his ability to prepare himself well,” Scott said.
“For us, we're really keen on where we’re going, and I think the ultimate trades are win-wins and I think this situation can be a win-win situation for Jake and for Essendon.”
Stringer will hope to make his GWS debut in Opening Round against Collingwood on Sunday, March 9.
